Latest reviews

7 Feb 17'

Shiela reviewed: Goldwork Embroidery 2 day Workshop

"Great workshop already booked another workshop, I'm hooked on goldwork now"

7 Feb 17'

Rosie reviewed: Goldwork Embroidery 2 day Workshop

"Wow, cant believe I've created such a stunning piece of work. Thank you for such a warm welcome and fun 2 days."

7 Feb 17'

Jill Barker reviewed: Improvers Hand Spinning - Next Steps in Hand Spinning - at All in a Spin

"I had done the beginners course the day before and this was an excellent second day. I learnt about ratios and different types of fibre which was fascinating. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to try combing, flick combing and other techniques and to have a 'play' with all the wonderful fibres that Dunia has available. She is a wonderfully patient teacher and ensures that her focus is on what you want to learn.. Highly recommended!!"

7 Feb 17'

Afonso Passos reviewed: Steam-Bending Courses in Cumbria

"As a keen and enthusiastic drumbuilder I had been looking all around Europe and beyond for steambending workshops and courses and that's when I found a video on Charlie Whinney's course. From what I saw I knew straight away I had to take the first chance to do his course. Charlie provides a thorough and vibrant practice into most aspects concerning steambending. It's an intensive 3 day course of pure steambending. From going out to the woods in beautifull Beckhead in Cumbria to learn how to source wood suitable for steambending to testing, steam chamber building, jig and chair making. He also cleverly provides a comprehensive handbook concerning all aspects adressed during the course and beyond. This allows you to simply concentrate on practice, it's perfect. Charlie is a very down to earth and thoughtfull guy. Time before starting the course he asks if there is any specific technique or purpose you want to adress, he was fully commited to try and build jigs I had showed him previously. There was never a question or doubt he didn't answer or tackle and even coming down the next day with further info on it. So completely commited and interested in his students. Not to mention the fact he is an extraordinary artist with a type of work that is simply fascinanting and inspiring. This is the type of course that gets you in touch with the real deal. An artist at the forefront of his practice. It's simply the best detour you can take to set you up for the fastest and most solid progression into this ancient artform. Up to now I havn't found anything that comes close. To top it up we were extremely well hosted by him and his family in beautifull Cumbria. Accomodation and food was superb. It was worth every penny and I came all the way from Portugal. Afonso Passos from Portugal"

7 Feb 17'

Jill B reviewed: Beginners Hand spinning - 'From fleece to fibre’ - at All in a Spin

"I thoroughly enjoyed my day with Dunja. This is a fantastic course and takes you right from the beginning of what to look for in selecting your fleece , how to wash your fleece and how to hand card and begin to spin. It covered everything in the prospectus and Dunja was so patient and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend this course to anyone wanting to begin spinning."

7 Feb 17'

Cheryl reviewed: One day upholstery with Mick Sheridan in West Wales

"This was a fabulous course, with the opportunity to walk away with a fully completed item at the end of the day. I am in love with this stool!"

7 Feb 17'

Ella Sibley Sparling reviewed: Half day leather clutch bag / ipad case

"This course was brilliant. Really informative and well led with every stage of the process explained clearly. Good use of tools and materials. I learnt a lot and had a very enjoyable morning. I would highly recommended it to others!! Thank you :)"

7 Feb 17'

Jane Keogh reviewed: Crochet Lessons and Workshops in Surrey

"Vicky is a great teacher, she's very patient and we had a right old laugh as well as crocheting ! I can now do squares very neatly, and she's going to teach me how to do a simple scarf with rows next. I love all the different colours and textures of wool she has in the shop too. Fabulous !"

7 Feb 17'

Emma Hall reviewed: Glass fusing class - powders and enamels

"A wonderful day! I learnt so much, going to collect my finished pieces today. Sarah was accommodating and so patient with all of us learning. Great value for money I made so many pieces and really felt I got a lot from the day. Will be going back for more classes with Sarah!"

7 Feb 17'

Sally Hunt reviewed: Necklaces, handmade beads, ancient fresco-style, papiermache recipe

"Clear instructions Lovely paint colours Good bead selection Useful to have plenty of examples to look at for inspiration Friendly environment"

7 Feb 17'

Charlotte reviewed: Glass fusing class - powders and enamels

"I was given the course as a birthday present and what a wonderful day! The time flew by and we didn't just get to make our main piece - we had lots of smaller practice pieces as well that get fired and we can keep. It was lovely to try out all the different techniques and Sarah was great. Thank you :)"

7 Feb 17'

Rebecca Brown reviewed: Crochet for Beginners (Adults) in Putney

"Thanks so much for a brilliant first crochet lesson Sowmya! I learnt so much, and Sowmya was such a patient and encouraging teacher who helped me believe I could do it - and I did!!! I would recommend the classes to anyone!!! Brilliant!! Thank you!!"

6 Feb 17'

Dawn reviewed: 1 day introduction to silver jewellery making

"I did the 1 Day Silver Jewellery course on 17 December. The reason I signed up to this course because I was keen to have a go at making some silver jewelery from scratch and assess whether it was something which was viable to consider not only as a hobby, but also as something which I may be able to explore in the future as an extra income. It's been a long time coming as it's something I've thought about doing for a very long time. Just before Christmas I decided to take the plunge and at least get a taster course... I got so much more than that! Jon is a brilliant teacher and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of what turned out to be a one on one lesson (the other couple who had been coming had to cancel at the last minute). He told me more about how he got into jewellery making (be sure to ask him, I won't spoil the story!) and his passion to share the craft as a result of his own learnings is clear (and contagious... in a good way!) He gave all the basics, including even work station set up and some reference materials and amazing pointers on essential bits of kit to get and what you can cope without at the start. We then went on to actually make a few items, including initially a brass D (involving lots of practise of key techniques) and then a plain silver ring (which I have since given to my sister and she loves! It's holding her wedding ring in place as we speak). I also made a bangle with his help (have delighted a friend with that) and started on a ring, even smelting the silver, which I wanted to set a some sea glass into (I had lots of ideas before I even got there). We didn't quite have time in the day to get to setting it - and that's another course he does - but he was kind enough to finish it off for me amongst all his other seasonal commissions and send in the post. I was so happy to receive that after Christmas and have already received lots of compliments, which makes me even more excited about getting going. I hope to be getting some bits of kit in the near future (Dec/Jan have been expensive!) and start experimenting soon, hopefully making lots of gorgeous pieces of jewellery for friends & family by the end of 2017... and then who knows! I get the feeling that once you get the taste for it, theres no turning back! Thank you Jonathan - I'm sure I will be in touch for further advice and even more courses in the future! Ps. I have photos of the bits I made as well as me smelting - incidentally this was only possible because I happened to be a solo booking in the end, and isn't a usual 'thing' he does on the course - so will email this to Jon and maybe he can add it to this review for you to see.."

6 Feb 17'

B Noronha reviewed: Necklaces, handmade beads, ancient fresco-style, papiermache recipe

"The method of bead-making was explained clearly with a good demonstration of the technique, and we were able to try bead preparation ourselves. The ingredients used are not expensive or difficult to get hold of, and so I felt that I would be happy to try the technique again in the future. The fun part was the decoration of the beads, which used not just paints but tissue paper. This also was clearly demonstrated, so that despite being a novice in handicrafts I was able to decorate enough beads to a high enough standard that I am happy to wear the resulting necklace. Another benefit of being part of a group was getting inspiration from others and being encouraged to try new and unusual combinations. I thoroughly enjoyed the day."

6 Feb 17'

Tim Povall reviewed: Two day leather work course - bag making

"I attended this course to improve my leather crafting skills. Jason is a wonderful teacher and I learnt so much. I also gained a lot of new confidence that will allow me to tackle bigger projects like the Messenger bag I made. The course was very relaxed and we were guided through the making process in easily understood sections, Lots of tips on the different processes to make them as easy as possible. The finished bag looks professionally made because of the guidance of Jason and his careful supervision. It is an experience I would recommend to anyone interested in crafting, and whether you are a beginner or improver you will come away with a bag you'll be proud to show off. Oh, and the food is superb as well."

6 Feb 17'

Lisa O'Brien reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"I booked this day for my partner and me as a Christmas present and we both an excellent day. As a 5ft 4ft, not particularly beefy female, I admit I was a little unsure whether I'd have the physical strength to make any impression on the metal. However I was in good company of a couple of other similarly sized women and the competition element of not being left behind by them, (let alone my partner with his background in metalwork & engineering), got the better of me! We all managed very well indeed, with the guidance and encouragement from John and the team. My partner thoroughly enjoyed the creative side, as well as being quite a flair for it. Having just had a woodburner installed, I was thrilled that we managed to made a poker, a shovel and between us a log basket. The log basket was made to a design we'd seen, which John helped us to interpret. I liked the pub lunch idea as it made for a nice sociable break in the day. All in all a superb day and I'm hoping to go back at some point soon to try out one of the other themed days that John will be introducing."

6 Feb 17'

Rhian Brown reviewed: Take raw fleece to finished fibre 2-day spinning workshop

"I've just spent a lovely couple of days learning to spin, having never so much as touched a wheel before. Elaine was very patient and supportive and a real expert in her field. The two days were very relaxed and friendly and in lovely surroundings. I learned a lot more than I expected to, from tips on choosing the right fleece through to coaching on improving my technique on the wheel. I'm feeling so inspired that I'm off to buy a wheel at the earliest opportunity!"

6 Feb 17'

Pauline Robson reviewed: Canal art - roses and castles - decorate a plate in narrowboat decoration

"I cannot recommend Julie too highly. The day was really enjoyable, well organised and well executed. The people on the course (6) in total, had a wide range of knowledge and talent. Julie's teaching was fantastic and everyone of us completed the project with great satisfaction. I am so enthused by it that I have now booked the more advanced course on 11th March and I can't wait to get started. Thank you Julie."

6 Feb 17'

Kate reviewed: Realistic and Adorable Needle Felt Animals & Pets

"Booked for Mum and I as a Christmas gift to ourselves. What a wonderful day! I made a stoat and Mum made a squirrel - both fantastic, if we do say so ourselves - even though we'd never done this before. Sophie is lovely - warm and welcoming. She clearly loves her craft and knows her stuff. She has a wonderful 'can-do', flexible approach to your project, helping you to achieve something of which you can be proud. The venue is gorgeous, the food provided wonderful, the information given before, during and after the day spot-on and I would heartily recommend this day to anyone thinking about booking. You will not be disappointed in any way."

6 Feb 17'

Katy Poyner reviewed: Croissants, pastries & brioche: Viennoiserie day at The Artisan Bakery School

"I would recommend this course to anyone who is interested in furthering their skills in Viennoiserie or for those who just want a really fun relaxing day making scrummy pastries in a wonderfully friendly environment! Penny is a brilliant teacher and has a lot of patience for those of us who are new to this area of baking. Both my mother and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole day and couldn't speak more highly of this course! Thanks Penny."

6 Feb 17'

Lorraine reviewed: Beginner's Candle Making Private Workshop - Marlow, Buckinghamshire

"I went on the candle making course on 4 February and was delighted in the way in which Sarah who took the class made you feel at ease and also made you feel that you were able to get great results in making the candles. It was a completely relaxed atmosphere with an intimate class which is ideal if you feel self conscious. I will certainly start making my own candles from now on as it has given me the confidence I needed. What was also great was that you were able to take home your creations and I would certainly highly recommend taking the course. Thank you Sarah"

6 Feb 17'

Keith Preedy reviewed: 'Art of Stained Glass' - Oldbury, Birmingham

"I did a 1 day lead light course yesterday along with my daughter. The course was informative and covered every aspect of making a lead light from the pattern, cutting the glass all the way up to the finished product which we were able to take away. Jamal explained the processes in a clear and concise way and we learnt so much in the time we were there. I would recommend anyone to go on this course if they have an interest in stained glass or any kind of interest in crafts, a thoroughly enjoyable day. Thank you"

6 Feb 17'

Valerie reviewed: Craft days, embroidery, sewing, silk painting etc

"This was an excellent day, we had a thoroughly good time and learnt a lot."

6 Feb 17'

Kathryn Thompson reviewed: Willow Piglet workshop

"What a fab day we had! Victoria is a skilled creative tutor (and she has a cute Dad). We had a giggle making our delightful piggies. I met three lovely ladies and we had such a good time together that we are all booked onto another course with Victoria next month so we can get together again. As a self-employed freelance artist it was great to talk about 'work stuff', something I rarely get a chance to do, it was like an away day with lovely colleagues. Learned new skills and made new friends in a warm and relaxing environment- would highly recommend!"

6 Feb 17'

Nathan Webb reviewed: Blacksmithing Experience Day

"I had a really great time at Colin's blacksmith forge. both in learning new skills and finding out about the history of smithing. I've didn't have any previous experience but it was easy to pick up and I'm very proud of the artifacts I made. The fire poker I fashioned will be very useful for my chiminea this summer. Thanks Col"